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DispatchWorthington is trying out the food-truck trend with Schmidt’s Sausage Truck. The truck will be parked on the northwest corner of High and North streets each Tuesday through Aug. 5.

Worthington’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved the restaurant’s application for a 90-day permit
this month — over the objections of two bricks-and-mortar food establishments that operate
nearby.

The zoning panel did impose a couple of restrictions on Schmidt’s: The truck may be open for
business only between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and the restaurant’s workers must clean up any litter left
in the surrounding parking lot.

The restaurant’s request to erect a temporary sign was rejected.

So far, that doesn’t seem to have hurt business.

“We’re really shocked with the turnout,” Schmidt’s employee Mark Mullen said as he served up
sausage, sauerkraut and German potato salad last week.

Once the Lewis Center resident figured out what was going on, she doubled back and stood in line
to buy some of the restaurant’s Bahama Mama smoked sausages.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s a good drive to Schmidt’s restaurant.”

Karen McElmurray, who lives in Riverlea, agreed.

McElmurray said she was pleased to learn recently that the Schmidt’s Sausage Truck sometimes
stops in Clintonville. Having one in Worthington is even better, she said.

“It would be nice if we had more.”

McElmurray might get her wish.

When the Schmidt’s permit expires, Worthington officials will decide whether the community
should embrace mobile food service more broadly or steer clear, said Lee Brown, the city’s director
of planning and building.

“Ninety days will give us time to look and see if there are any issues,” he said.